WILLEMSTAD--A group of business owners in Curaçao plans to file an injunction against government for “arbitrariness” and “deception” regarding its coronavirus-related payroll support.
At the beginning of the health crisis, authorities announced that all companies would be helped and asked that no one be fired. However, it later turned out that the announced financial assistance does not apply to all employers.
Among other entities, newspapers, radio stations and television channels are not eligible for the wage subsidy, confirmed Minister of Economic Development MEO Giselle Mc William. It is only for companies in sectors on a list of the ministry.
The latter includes the entertainment industry, tourism sector et cetera, but not the local media. According to Mc William, this is because there is no money and priority was given to other companies.
She does not exclude that news outlets may receive support in a second phase. Many newspapers and radio stations are struggling primarily because of sharply declined advertising income since last month.
Lawyer Achim Henriquez called it “a shame” how government is handling the emergency financial assistance from the Netherlands. He was speaking in a radio interview with Paradise FM.
According to him, it is remarkable that only 42 million of the total 177 million Netherlands Antillean guilders borrowed so far is going to the local business community, while the rest will be spent on government.
The attorney also says it is impossible to explain that companies eligible for wage subsidies will no longer be permitted a deferment of tax payment.
However, Henriquez thinks it is not advisable to file a lawsuit as a group of business owners wants to do. Legal proceedings cost a lot of money which can now be better used, according to him.
